Liam Delap scored 12 Premier League goals this season, but was unable to save the Ipswich city from relegation to the championship, and he will continue this summer
Ipswich has given striker Liam Delap permission to explore his options for next season, has confirmed Stadsbaas Kieran McKenna.
The 22-year-old, who came to Ipswich from Manchester City last summer, is expected to leave the Suffolk Club after their relegation back to the Sky BET championship after just one campaign in the Premier League.
Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle have all been associated with a large relocation for the England Under-21 International, who is said to have a £ 30 million relegation clause in his contract.
“Liam looks at his options for next year, which I think he has the right to do and we support him with that,” said McKenna at a press conference before the last Premier League match on Sunday to West Ham. “I think we have given him permission to do that this week. It is a very important decision for his future.
“Of course there is a lot of interest – and rightly so. I think part of his week had some of those conversations.
“It seems more likely than not that he will continue this summer and he is interested in almost every club in the competition, and I don't think there are many clubs in the world who would not want him.
“(However) nothing is sorted, nothing is done or completed or even whole, very, very close, so that process will be running.”
McKenna added: “We will be proud of the part we have had in terms of Liam's development and his contribution this season.
“If he stays with us, we will be happy, and if he continues this summer, it will be a positive sign for the club to have developed and sold a player at that kind of level and hopefully it will also be a good move for him.”
This season, Delap scored 12 Premier League goals in 36 performances, but that was not enough to avoid Ipswich a quick return to the second layer.
However, McKenna believes that Delap has never shown anything else than full dedication to the city's survival struggle.
“He has given everything to the cause and he has the right to make a decision about what he thinks is the best for the future,” said the Ipswich boss.
“I think the supporters will look back over time with great preference on some of his performances and some of the victories in which he was involved.
“I really believe that everyone will follow their career, if it is not in Ipswich, with the best wishes.”
McKenna confirmed that midfielder Massimo Luongo will leave the club this summer at the end of his contract.
The conversations take place with defenders Cameron Burgess and Axel Tuanzebe about possibly their stay in Portman Road next season.